Ammonia-condenser for ice-machines



(NoModeLj- P. STEOK. AMMONIA CONDENSER FOR ICE MACHINES. No. 409,072.

Patented Aug. 13, 1889.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OE IcE.

PAUL STECK, OF OAKLAND, ASSIGNOR TO PARKE & LACY, ()F SAN FRAN- CTSCO, CALIFORNIA.

AMMONIA-CONDENSER FOR ICE-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,072, dated August 13, 1889.

Application filed October 24, 1888.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL STECK, of Oakland, Alameda county, State of California, have inventedan Improvementin Ammonia- Condensers for Ice-Machines; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to the class of icemachines, and especially to the condensers through which the ammonia is passed, and in which it is condensed by the water which trickles over the exterior of the pipes.

My invention consists in a novel condenser composed of separated sections or coils of pipes, the lowermost pipe of each section or coil being connected with the uppermost pipe of the section or coil adjacent, an inlet for the ammonia-gas to the top pipe of the first section or coil, and an outlet for the liquid'ammonia from the bottom pipe of each section or coil, all of which, together with the objects of this construction, I shall hereinafter fully set forth.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is a vertical cross section through the condenser. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

I have not deemed it necessary herein to show the frame or box of the ice-machine of which the condenser forms a part, as the usual surroundings and operation of an ammoniacondenser in this class of machines are well known.

A is the first section or coil of pipes of the condenser. B is the second, similarly constructed. C is the third, and D is the fourth section or coil. There maybe as many (more or less) as may be desired.

A is a pipe connecting the lowermost pipe of the first section or coil A with the uppermost pipe. of the second section or coil B.

B is a pipe connecting the lowermost pipe of the second section or coil with the uppermost pipe of the third.

C is a pipe connecting the lowermost pipe of the third with the uppermost pipe of the fourth section or coil D.

E is an inlet-pipe communicating with the uppermost pipe of the first section or coil A, and by which the ammonia-gas is admitted to the condenser.

Serial No. 289,062. (No model.)

F is an outlet-pipe for the liquid ammonia, said pipe having a pipe-connection f with the lowermost pipe of each section or coil.

G are the usual water-tanks, from which the water is discharged so as to trickle down over the surface of the condenser-pipes.

The ammonia, in the form of gas, is forced in through the pipe E to the uppermost pipe of the first sect-ion or coil A, and, passing downwardly through the pipes of said section or coil, is gradually cooled and condensed by the water trickling down over the surface of the pipes. The liquefied ammonia, collecting in the lower portion of the first section or coil, passes oif through the outlet-pipe F. The gaseous ammonia then passes upwardly through the connecting-pipe A to the top of the second section or coil and down again through it, the pipes being subjected to the cooling action of a fresh supply of water trickling over the surface of the pipes. From the bottom of this section or coil thecondensed or liquid ammonia passes off, while the gas again passes upwardly through the connecting-pipe B to the third section or coil, and so on.

In the ordinary form of condensers the sections or coils are entirely separate, having no connection whatever, and the inlet by which the gas is supplied communicates with the top of each section or coil, so that in fact each row is a mere duplicate of the other. In my invention there are two objects sought to be obtained-viz., first, the saving of water, and, second, the reduction of the ammonia-pressure. The first object is obtained by subjecting the ammonia-gas to the condensing or liquefying action of successive flows of water, so that being partially cooled in the first section or coil it is then subjected to the action of a fresh supply of cold water in the second section or coil and is further cooled, and so on.

Now, in the ordinary form where the sections or coils of pipes are wholly disconnected and the ammonia-gas is forced into each one, it is apparent that when as much of the gas is liquefied as is possible the cooling-water itself has its temperature raised so high as to become of no effect, and therefore it requires a larger amount of water to be used to accomplish the necessary result; but by passing the gas through the several sections successively, as I have described, and using water on each section, a much less amount of water need be used in order to liquefy the ammonia.

The second object is attained by reason of an increased area within the pipes, which can be utilized by the ammonia in the form of gas. W'here each section or coil is separate there is about an equal amount of liquid ammonia accumulated in the lower portion of each section, thus confining the gas to the upper portion and reducing the available area and increasing the pressure of the gas; but in my construction the larger portion of the liquid ammonia is in the first section or coil and is carried off by the outlet-pipe F, while in the succeeding sections or coils the amount of liquid ammonia is Very much reduced, thereby aifording a greater area for the gas,

which materially reduces the pressure.

PAUL STECK.

Witnesses:

S. II. Nounsu, II. C. LEE. 

